Under the relevant legislation, my consent, and that of the Minister for Finance is required for the numbers, grades and remuneration of staff employed by Teagasc.
I am satisfied that 25 posts of chief agricultural development officer are adequate for the provision of the present county agricultural advisory and training services and Teagasc management have accepted this.
Under ACOT, local farm advisory and training services were managed through a district system within counties under the Senior Agricultural Development Officer (SADO) grade. Following a review, Teagasc proposed that the management of the services should be identified as the responsibility of one official at Chief Agricultural Development Officer (CADO) level.
In agreeing to the general proposal, approval was given in January last, for 25 posts of CADO in Teagasc on the basis that Counties Cork and Tipperary would require two such posts but that it was possible to amalgamate a number of the smaller counties under one CADO.
This proposal, which would involve 11 upgradings, has not yet been accepted by the staff side which maintains that 28 posts at CADO level should be provided.